Dr Organic Activated Charcoal Face Mask Review

I came across this product after intending to buy the Activated Charcoal face scrub before I moved to Vienna. I was worried it may be a hard product to find and it had really helped cleanse and clear my skin over the past few months. I ended up purchasing the face mask rather than the 125ml face scrub from Holland and Barret for £6.99 whilst rushing around making last minute purchases in the days leading up to my move.

When in Vienna and ready to scrub the sh*t out of my nose pores, I realised that the texture was much smoother and less invasive to the skin. I checked the bottle to see if anything was different and there it was. Bioactive Skincare Activated Charcoal Pore Cleansing Face Mask. Face Mask. darn.

I was apprehensive to use it as a face mask as I understand these products all have different strengths and having sensitive skin means that slapping any old mask on can easily result in a break out. This is why I tend to go for organic products that have as many natural ingredients as possible. This, along with some level of trust to the brand has resulted in my skin blossoming over the past 4/5 months.


The mask is very light and the bottle is still rather full since I bought it 2 months ago. I spread a thin layer over my face or just on the problem areas and allow around 15 minutes for the magic to happen.

I have no strict regeme of when I use the mask, however it tends to be on average every 4 days. I also have the Manuka Honey Face Mask from the same brand, Dr Organic, which I use less frequently than I did before as it's results on my skin are different (whilst still positive) to that of the Charcoal product.

Dry on Skin

After washing the mask off I feel that my skin is more cleansed than anything.

Remember to use a clean towel to dry your skin!

 Within 30 minutes of taking off the mask I notice that any pimples that were there before have gone down dramatically and of course without scarring (ensuring there was no prodding at them before hand). I believe this is due to the supposed 'purifying' and 'oil controling' results promoted on the bottle. 

Fresh Face

My face is left feeling fresh and clear with a slightly perfumed aroma. My skin is soft and I am smiling ;).

Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments.

Peace & Love,
Willow

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Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Bio-Plasma Mud Mask Summary

A couple weeks ago I found myself submitting a vlog for a video casting I stumbled upon. They wanted me to talk briefly, answering a few questions to get a feel of my personality. Obviously a huge part of whether I am successful is to do with the way I look, I hate to admit it but a lot of the time we are judged by the way we present ourselves and of course it works out better if you make some effort.

I looked at my face in the mirror and couldn't help but feel disappointed. My skin was looking crap! Today out of all days. Why were these tiny stupid pimples appearing out of nowhere?! I accepted I was having a bad skin day and plastered on the make up (not the most intelligent move hah).

Later that day I ended up in boring old Westfield, Stratford City. Since I've been attempting (and failing) at this whole vegan lifestyle I decided to pop into the notorious Holland & Barrett. Why aren't there like 10 times more Holland & Barrett's but variations of them to suit different prices ranges for different people? Not everyone can afford to spend £5 on pomegranate toothpaste, I certainly can't afford to shop there all the time. After some time browsing and complaining coming from Dolvanny because I was taking too long, I came across a deal on the Dr. Organic range. BOGOHP. Buy One Get One Half Price. There was a huuuuuge variety to choose from and quite frankly their marketing worked on me. I decided to go for the face masks as I was looking for something to rejuvenate my sour looking skin. I bought one and got another one half price. 

I forgot to take a picture of before and after - not that you would see a huge difference straight away- but I did take a piccy during (of course!). 

It seems like there is a rather substantial amount of the product in the bottle, especially as you are only supposed to apply an even, thin layer for this particular mask. The texture was smooth and it dried nicely- not too stiff! I left it on for approximately 15 minutes in which my skin was supposed to be detoxifying :P. 
After rinsing my face with warm water my skin did indeed feel fresh and I noticed how it had brought the dirt in my pores to the surface as those same small pimples had doubled. Brilliant. 

I moisturised with a small amount of coconut oil- this doesn't work for everyone but it does for me, many would recommend to stay away from coconut oil but there is no harm in trying, I know people that swear by it!

I would recommend this product (the mask not the coconut oil haha) after a first use however at £7.99 a bottle it is not a price I'd be willing to pay all the time, let's see how long it lasts... 
Anyone else used Dr Organic face masks? Leave a comment below!

UPDATE: So I've been using this mask for about a month now and I feel it has worked. I must admit I was skeptical but my skin has made a profound improvement and now when I do use the mask I no longer have the same amount of dirt coming up to the surface. I am impressed I must say- and the bottle has barely gone down -I use it roughly 2- 3 times a week and apply a fair amount. Hopefully the two I got last a year as I won't be buying another anytime soon, we can't forget I am a poor(ish) student.

Peace&Love,
Willow

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WHY I CUT MY HAIR OFF

My hair is now short. About 3 hours ago, maybe 4... it was bobbing around my shoulders looking all cute and sweet. Why did I cut it off?

I've been taught through the media, through my parents,through my friends and just generally my overall interactions that when you are a woman, long hair is best suited. Why I don't really know. Apparently it makes you look feminine and lush and stuff, who knows. I've never really had a strong attachment to my hair but I was often worried about what people thought of me. I would pretend I didn't care about my image and sometimes I really wouldn't care -but the majority of the time I would. I hate that! I hate knowing that I will do something or not do something because of someone else who doesn't have a clue about me.

I recently turned 20 and left my underpaid, overworked job in South East London. I had moved back in with my Dad over summer and the travelling from Essex to SE London was too much headache, plus I was spending a fortune on trains. I also received a letter telling me about an old fine I had never previously received, asking me to pay a ridiculous sum of money. I had been planning to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer till I started back at uni in October but after receiving that (it was a very large amount)... I cancelled everything.

I then thought about how I've worked on and off since I was 15 and all it took was one year of shitty university- something we apparently all should do, to get me in even more debt than I have earned in my lifetime. I sadly am not born into wealth and I'm tired of working hard and not getting a lot in return. We shouldn't be working to pay our bills then find ourselves short at the end, we should be working to enjoy a life we want to live, that is why I save up my scraps and use it where I can to see the world! So how does this link to my hair?

Well I typed in on google, 'why do young girls cut all their hair off?'
This is what came up:

Practically all the links I found explained how the chopping of the hair from long to drastically short usually symbolises the need for control or change. One may feel as though she has lost control over her life, usually after an uncertain period that caused discomfort or maybe even trauma. The chop therefore is a way of showing herself, more than anyone that she is in control. It could also be a lot to do with just marking a new chapter. It may not always be after trauma or uncertainty but rather to feel refreshed and therefore renewed...

I cut all my hair off for both of these reasons now that I reflect upon it. I also cut my hair as throughout my teen years, my hair was what I was known for and I often felt people failed to see just me. I would straighten my hair and would get comments like, 'you look much better with your hair curly and big', meanwhile I'm thinking... Did I Even Ask You?! Cutting my hair was also a way of being defiant to what society has taught me, defines me as a woman. I was worried before that people would treat me differently, stupid I know although it genuinely did cross my mind as I feel it does happen. Women always have to legitimise their power and right as a woman and now I have a 'mans' hair surely this illegitimises me. I'm trying too hard to be masculine when all I really want is to be as feminine as can be while doing what I want! Did any of that make sense? Humph...

Well what all this boils down to is try and do you... it is easier said than done. We have twitter hype gals telling us do you boo boo and too right! But it ain't always that easy, especially when 'you' is always changing and growing due to your environment and experiences that are ever-evolving. I wake up a different person each day and not because I have a new spot or a new nail varnish colour, but because of who I met the day before and what I read at the library and maybe even the new country I hope I may have travelled to! Everything plays a part in who you are, so I don't blame you if you become a psycho killer by age 12 as more often than not, it is your environment that has caused it. 

OK I have gone waaaaay off track. C'mon. All I done was give myself a hair cut... riiiiiight?

Peace&Love
Willow

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